Rusty-flanked Crake
Laterallus levraudi
Small unbarred rufous crake with greenish bill and white central underparts. Sexes similar. Common, found in small groups or pairs in fresh water ponds and lagoons with wet grass from lowlands to mid elevations (2000 m). Difficult to see, but often walks in open areas in early morning. Voice a long and loud descending trill. Similar to Rufous-sided Crake (no range overlap) but lacks barring on underparts. Endemic to northern Venezuela.
Identification
The rusty-flanked crake is 14 to 16.5 cm (5.5 to 6.5 in) long. The sexes are alike. They have dark olive brown upperparts and red flanks. Their underparts are red except for a white throat and center of the breast.
Taxonomy
The rusty-flanked crake is monotypic. Some authors treat it and the rufous-sided crake (Laterallus melanophaius) as a superspecies.
- Scientific name
- Laterallus levraudi
- Authority
- (Sclater, PL & Salvin, 1869)
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Family
- Rallidae
- Genus
- Laterallus
Range and habitat
The rusty-flanked crake is found only in Venezuela north of the Orinoco River, mostly coastally and somewhat inland along the western flank of the Andes. It inhabits a variety of wet lowland landscapes including swamps, marshes, lagoons, lakeshores, and flooded pastures. In elevation it ranges from about 20 to 600 m (66 to 2,000 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The rusty-flanked crake is not known to migrate.<p>The rusty-flanked crake's foraging technique and diet have not been documented but are assumed to be similar to those of congeners. They usually forage on the ground or in shallow water, mostly for insects but also feeding on seeds.<p>Nothing is known about the rusty-flanked crake's breeding biology.<p>The rusty-flanked crake's song is "an abrupt, loose churring" sometimes preceded by single notes: "ti ... ti .. ti.ti.trrrrrrrrrrrrrr". It is especially vocal during the morning, and in May to July.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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